East Carolina’s annual contribution to the local economy is estimated to be close to $2 billion.

Funded by the U.S. Army, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at ECU is developing devices, strategies, and infrastructure that mitigate risks from biological attacks.

East Carolina and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources are processing artifacts from a shipwreck believed to be that of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the flagship of Blackbeard the pirate.

ECU, in its Center for Natural Hazards Research, is studying natural disasters and their management.

East Carolina, collaborating with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during 12 years of research, has developed a new method for saving and delivering blood platelets. Through a process of freeze-drying and sterilizing, the platelets can be saved for up to five years and deliver immediate life-saving benefits in military and civilian blood banks.

East Carolina collaborates with Pitt Community College, the Pitt County Schools system, and the state Department of Public Instruction on workforce development for Hispanics in eastern North Carolina.

Research efforts by faculty continue to expand, and they include a wide variety of topics—from the nation’s maritime past, heart disease and diabetes, health and exercise, to politics, United States/Mexico border patrols, and science.